As more gruesome details emerge out of Bibb County’s recent bust of an underground child sex ring, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has suggested that state lawmakers reconsider legislation that would put the death penalty on the table for sex crimes against children.
“The depravity that goes along with this is just something that most folks can't get their heads around, because if there's anything that we want to be able to do, that's protect and foster the safety of our children,” Marshall said on a recent episode of “Alabama’s Morning News with JT.”
SEE: Sex traffickers drugged, tied children to bed in underground Bibb County bunker, prosecutors say
The relevant portion begins around the 7-minute mark.
He continued, “Those that would commit offenses like this, I truly have no words. And I do think it's going to cause an additional discussion in Alabama, a bill that was submitted by Representative Simpson in the last legislative session that tries to reinstate the death penalty for cases involving the rape of children.”
SEE: House committee approves Simpson bill permitting the death penalty for child rape, sodomy
Marshall explained that the U.S. Supreme Court would have to overturn a 2008 ruling for any such law could be enforced in Alabama.
“Florida has adopted a provision similar to what Alabama proposed. I think Tennessee and Idaho have done the same thing. And when we hear the facts involving this case, I think you'll see more of a debate about whether or not that will be proposed again in Alabama,” he said.
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